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I am fascinated by the lives of our Founding Fathers, who lived during a time of great Christian revival and fervor. Their beliefs directly affected the framing of a nascent American state as federal republic guided by internal Christian self-governing principles. John Adams notably credited the Patriot Pastors of 1776, who the British parliament termed the “Black Regiment,” as the primary instigating force behind American independence.

The Patriot Pastors were directly linked to earlier teachings and religious movements led by Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield. Edwards instigated the revivalist spirit, coming of age during a time when church affiliation in the Colonies was high, but real faith was low. Many of the churches in New England were directed by the state-approved Church of England, with its emphasis on early baptism and church membership as the path to salvation.

However, Edwards encouraged the faithful to establish a personal relationship with God. In particular, he emphasized that membership in a state-run church could not ensure salvation. Edwards’ eloquence was renowned, and his 1741 sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” is considered archetypal of early American religious sermons.

The British evangelist George Whitefield continued Edwards’ work, leading an estimated 300,000 New Englanders to salvation. His revivalist message also emphasized creating a personal relationship with God, and many of his published sermons ended with exhortations such as “Come poor, lost, undone sinner, come just as you are to Christ.” Whitefield fanned flames on the hearth laid by Jonathan Edwards, leading the Great Awakening of 1740. This was a momentous and widespread social movement, having a direct impact on the framers of the Declaration of Independence. Benjamin Franklin was one of those highly impressed by Whitefield’s style, writing about the preacher at length in his autobiography. The Black Regiment, following in Whitefield’s footsteps, taught principles that the American political framework echoed: man was created equal in the eyes of God and man was endowed by his Creator with certain unalienable rights. According to the Black Regiment, the government’s function was to protecting God-given rights, creating a nation of, by, and for the Christian people.

About the Author: With a Doctor of Divinity in Christian Apologetics from the School of Theology in Columbus, Georgia, and a Doctor of Letters from Mid-Continent University, Mayfield, Kentucky, Dr. Grady S. McMurtry leads the evangelical organization Creation Worldview Ministries, Inc.

Dispelling the Nine Great “Proofs” for Evolution (Part One)
Vestigial and retrogressive organs: Several structures in the human body, including the coccyx, appendix and wisdom teeth, may seem to have no function, which many scientists point to as evidence of evolution. However, today all of these organs or structures have at least one or more known functions. Some other often cited examples are male nipples and female Wolffian ducts. It is now known that these structures are merely remnants of development prior to sexual differentiation occurring in the embryo.

Embryonic recapitulation: One of Charles Darwin’s disciples, Dr. Ernst Haeckel, fabricated the idea of embryonic recapitulation, which stated that a baby goes through the various evolutionary stages while in the womb. The theory has since been dispelled by various scientific sources. Haeckel had also fabricated another hoax, drawings of single-celled organisms that were supposedly the precursors to intelligent life.

Hypothetical scenarios: Short, anecdotal stories of how various creatures came to evolve different structures have become widespread, but they detract from true scientific investigation. Similar tales are used to explain the existence of short-period comets and to cover over other inconsistencies within the theories of evolution.

The universe and earth are old: While many people assert that the universe and earth are billions of years old, the metrics and data being used to come to these conclusions is unreliable. For example, although the the universe appears to be 15 to 20 billion light years in radius, this is a distance and not a time; and, does not reveal its actually age. The act of dating fossils and rock layers by evolutionists is self-serving circular reasoning and many of the remnants that should be present from meteorites are nowhere to be found.

Genetic studies: The true power of DNA lies in its ability to repair itself, not to alter its structure and produce any kind of evolution. All imperfect copies of DNA only serve as a detriment to the creature itself, not a step forward.

About the Author:
As the President of Creation Worldview Ministries, Inc., Dr. Grady S. McMurtry carries out missionary work around the world and regularly hosts Christian-based radio and television programs. Dr. McMurtry has devoted his life to promoting Christianity and creationism, participating with several religious organizations, including the Creation Research Society, the Moscow Theological Institute and Christian Prison Ministries. An authority on creation science, Dr. Grady S. McMurtry holds a Doctor of Divinity from the School of Theology and a Doctor of Letters from Mid-Continent University.

Christian Worldview Ministries offers a variety of programs for home schools, universities, vacation Bible schools, conferences, and seminars. The organization delivers its point of view on radio and televisions shows as well. In addition to focusing on “the truths of biblical foundations,” seminar and sermon offerings include secular presentations that focus on critical thinking and intellectual honesty in approaching the topic of origins. The ministry also recommends other organizations as a source for speakers, including the Creation Studies Institute; the Institute for Creation Research; and Creation Moments, Inc.

Sermon/seminar presentations include a number of science-based discussions, such as “It’s a Young World After All,” scientific evidence for a young earth/universe; and “Carbon 14 – Proof for a Young Earth,” an exploration of why the Carbon 14 dating method does not work. Other scientific subjects range from genetics and the empirical evidence for longevity to chemical evolution and the fallacy of global warming. “Light from Distant Galaxies” explains how humans see light from distant sources while only being 6,000 years old.

Other Christian Worldview Ministries talks delve into marriage; communion with God; the worth of people; and the history of the world, including Noah’s Ark, the Tower of Babel, and the eruption of Mt. St. Helens in the Pacific Northwest. With these and other programs, Christian Worldview Ministries will continue to lift Jesus Christ up so that “He might draw all people unto Himself.” For more information, articles, sample programs, a schedule of events, and more, visit the Christian Worldview Ministries website.